Sunday 7th July

The whole village mood was very subdued this morning, everyone probably still in bed after late night celebrations at the opening ceremony. Having missed it we were fresh and up, buzzing for the game ahead of us v Japan. A win would virtually qualify us for the knockouts, a draw or a loss would make it go to the last game to determine where we finish.

All the preparation and routine was similar to when we played Brazil, everyone was chilling in their own little zones getting up for the game... It had come to that point again, it was game time and now was when we had to step up and prove that we will be a force in this tournament and beat the best teams in the competition.

A delayed start to the game due to Demi having to near enough yank her nose piercing out as the officials wouldn't allow taping we were underway... 2minutes gone, first chance on goals, BAM! Japan 1 up. Some quick play to shift the ball across the box and a tidy finish from a tight angle. Now we were facing an uphill battle. We didn't need any more spurring on for an equaliser than the fact we knew we had to win. Around 10minutes later Michelle floated a corner in and competing for the ball was a group of players from both teams, not sure who but somebody managed to bundle it into the net. All for it to be disallowed for an unknown reason. From that moment we began to settle into the game knowing we would get chances to score but unfortunately again our first half wasn't up to standard and was sloppy.

Second half we had to come out flying, we had nothing to lose. We was already losing and we needed a way back into the game, we created a number of set plays all game and looked threatening everytime the ball went into the box. It was surely only a matter of time before one went in. Michelle played a corner in, it was cleared but only to Kasia who sidefoot volleyed the ball onto the bar and over the line. Or was it? We was all adamant, and the referee was too, goal given. GB back on level terms, this was a turning point. Passes started to flow, more chances coming then completely out of the blue a cross come shot was drilled into the box, bouncing on the 6yard line (no man's land) which is tough to deal with and fortunately on this occasion for them it was enough to cause confusion and the ball finished up in the net. Japan were back infront 2-1.

From then on we didn't give up and again created affective set plays which troubled them but we just couldn't connect properly on the final ball. It's gutting because we know we could have got something from this game and Japan are beatable. We just need to stay positive and focus on what we done well rather than the little mistakes that can easily be erased. It's massive we go again tomorrow with a positive mindset to ensure we finish off the group stage with a win putting ourselves in a position to qualify in the best possible way.

Saturday 6th July

Doesn't waking up the day after a game feel so much better than when you've lost? I remember countless Monday mornings feeling so miserable because of a poor result. Winning makes life so much sweeter, today we had that winning feeling. Long may it continue!

Early morning training session booked in so we could recover and refresh across the day, it was only when we got on the coach to leave that we realised how busy Kazan suddenly got. It was hard to work out why, but then it became clear. The 6th of July is a significant day in these university games.

We got outside security and we could see we're people lining the streets, carrying flags and waving at our bus. It was the final leg of the torch relay and unfortunately we missed it, but to see all those smiling faces along the streets and to turn up just for this occasion was humbling. They didn't have to stand there for hours waiting, they don't know us but still they felt a part of it by acknowledging us and coming out to see us. That we are grateful for and again shows what a big occasion we're actually a part of.

Training would have been pretty uneventful if it wasn't for a tropical thunderstorm interrupting halfway through, soaking us and causing us to take cover inside. In a way the rain was a present from the football gods for winning yesterday, it gave us a break from this heat so thanks for that up there!

The athletes village has neared full capacity now with so many nations being represented here. Tonight is the night to celebrate this and officially open the games, the Opening Ceremony in Rubins stadium is tonight. However due to our game being tomorrow and the potential lateness we could be home by we won't be attending. It's a shame as it would be an unforgettable experience but our focus is 3 points tomorrow v Japan. Good decision? We think so.

So having not gone to the opening ceremony we have had to find other ways to watch it or stay occupied all night so we don't dwell on the fact were not there. We spent a bit of time earlier heading to the Badminton centre to see a bit of the action. GB had already played but we were treated to potentially a few of the best nations at the sport who showed how quick paced Badminton really is. Also later in the evening we had more time to entertain ourselves... Enter Giant Jenga (or Jenna for Courtney). We was going to play Pictionary too but thought we'd save that for another night incase we needed a plan b.

Winding down now after today it's clear we all need to rest up and be ready for tomorrow, Japan will no doubt be a good side and the stakes in this game are high. But beyond all that we have a squad who when it matters all want the best and our togetherness is beginning to show. We know we're good enough to win so need to keep that belief going. We want to wake up tomorrow and be firing on all cylinders to get them 3 points and place ourselves in a cracking position come the last group game.

Naomi Cole, Team GBR #3.

Friday 5th July

Friday has arrived, only one thing was on my mind waking up this morning. Game day v Brazil. Finally, we can get our tournament underway and put down our marker in the women's football tournament.

It felt like time stood still all morning, we had so much to pack in but it seemed weirdly spread out. I think everyone just wanted 5pm to come but took longer than anticipated. Unit meetings done, set plays done, pre match eaten... It was time to get on the bus to the Raketa stadium and play Brazil.

Stepping off the bus nerves began to set in, going through my jobs and how I wanted to make sure I didn't let anybody down. The changing room laid out with all our kit, that by the way never fails to get me pumped for a game seeing your shirt hung up on a peg. It was time to get in the zone and be ready when that whistle blew.

Warming up was a taste of what to expect for the next 90minutes of football, boy it was hot. Rumoured to be around 35 degrees this was going to have an affect, not massively, but it was important we helped ourselves as much as possible to save our energy and stay hydrated.

5pm was fast approaching, teams were in the tunnel, it's time to perform. Lining up on the pitch while the Univeristy anthem played (I think it was that) I began to get teary, it suddenly hit me what a fantastic occasion this was and wow I was actually playing v Brazil!!... As always the game is a bit of a blur but let me try and summarise it for you.

First half we started off well, created openings but didn't quite nail the final ball. Brazil showed their flair and skill in their midfield and attacking ranks. I think we got a bit too respectful of Brazil, purely for their name, and they began to grow into the game. Not really creating much but making us play sloppy passes and panic.

Halftime was good rest bite for us, it gave us time to analyse them and we said we could afford to press higher up the pitch, we felt they were poor playing out the back so we could utilise this to create more chances... Within 2minutes of the 2nd half we had our first clear cut opportunity (I'll spare Aileen the embarrassment of explaining what happened). But we felt ontop and kept going forward, and before you knew it we was 1-0 up. Dan Carter cleverly turned their centre half, skipped round the keeper which then she was fouled. No penalty, the ball rolled towards Fran Kirby who cheekily curled and chipped it towards the empty net. A despairing Brazilian tried in vein to clear it but it was already over the line and she just looped it further into the goal.

Buzzing, we had scored, it's taken a few games to get off the mark but wow was it worth the wait. We felt sky high and from then on we still continued to press and create more openings, a second goal was inevitable. Low and behold, we had a 5v2 situation, Fran again involved but this time picking out Aileen Whelan with her cross who sweetly volleyed a left foot shot into the roof of the net. 2-0, almost job done.

The game was sealed after again continued pressing and workrate ensuring they wasn't going to score and we preserved our clean sheet, final whistle. GBR 2 BRAZIL 0. Great result and the second half performance we can be proud of.

Expectation is high of ourselves now to continue this standard and we need to make sure we recover properly for our next game v Japan on Sunday. We all know we're capable of doing well in this tournament, today showed that, and you've gotta beat the best to be the best. Starting with this win is definitely a step in the right direction for our goal of being Champions.

Naomi Cole, Team GBR #3.

Thursday 4th July

Last training day and now it is the last day before we wake up and it be game day. The mood is more focused and mellowed now the atmosphere has settled in. Without being officially welcomed with our flag ceremony everything was falling into place and people knew that Team GBR were here and ready to go.

Speaking of the flag ceremony we missed that today due to training, which was gutting because obviously being patriotic we love a good national anthem and have our flag flying high. But training was more important and nailing down key aspects of our gameplan for tomorrow.

We have a volunteer (there is thousands of them) but our one who is the main man in terms of getting us on the right bus, translations etc is Gilbert from Zambia. You've got to give it to all the volunteers who do this, they do it out of the sheer goodness in their heart and to be a part of these games. It's inspiring.

Final preparations we have a team meeting in the evening about Brazil and how we are going to beat them and what to expect. It's always nice to go into games with a positive mind set and worry about all the things we're going to do rather than focus on counteracting them.

Early night for us then, heads down, feet up, time to relax and be fully ready to kick off our tournament on a high. It may seem strange having our game the day before the opening ceremony but we've waited so long for this match that were eager to go now. Let's hope tomorrow is a day of good news and we have those 3 points on the board for team GBR.

Naomi Cole, Team GBR #3.

Wednesday 3rd July

Waking up to a ripple of applause and various music was a very different wake up to what we've had previously. We were now part of the build up to the big opening of this tournament, we are welcomed into the village.

All of the surroundings is exactly how you vision it would be in an Olympic like village, flag poles, water fountains, big apartment blocks, it had it all. Grasping all this is alot to take in but it's an experience none of us will forget, we've only been here one day so far but you begin to feel the part of a big family who are here together for the same reason. Regardless of sport, country, gender everyone is happy to socialize with one another which is what makes it so easy to appreciate the brilliance of being in this kind of a competition.

Just visualise this for a second, endless supplies of drink and food, what would it look like? Well this is how it looks in our canteen area. It hold 4,000 people at a time and it stacked with various foods from around the globe. It is unreal! Something so simple as that had our jaws drop to the floor the minute we stepped into the canteen.

As you can tell we are pretty buzzed about this whole venue and everything in it. But back to the reason why we're here and now we have just 2 days to prepare for our first game v Brazil. Seeing one of the venues and training there was brilliant, were playing all our games on 4g pitches and have kick off times in the Evening. Which to be honest in this weather will be a God send, as long as we are fully prepared and on it by Friday I have faith all these little parts of living in this village with spur us on to winning games and getting out of our group.

Naomi Cole, Team GBR #3.

Tuesday 2nd July

Waking up and packing up reality was setting that we was moving out and moving on to the village in Kazan. Firstly we were treated to a day out in Moscow, checking out the sights and being a proper tourist. Little did we know that our Team Manager, Alex, had set up a coach tour with a Russian resident. Good move, he was enthusiastic and taught us everything we needed to know... Follow the flag!

Driving past shopping centres was devastating for us but instead we got to go to a lookout point over Moscow and wow it was a view. Another place we can all tick off the list. None of us knew what the Kremlin (don't ask) was, and to be honest we still don't. But in our eyes it was basically a big wall with loads of temples and official buildings around it with security everywhere. It looked important and it got us all out for a day so it was a good place to visit even if we didn't learn as much as we should.

Evening approached and it come to our attention that our flight was delayed by 5hours, meaning we would be stuck in the airport for 7 hours collectively!! This was gonna be a long night but also a chance to relax and get focused on being in the village very soon.

Once our flight finally took off it ended up landing in Kazan around 3am! What a long day and all we wanted to do was sleep, but by this time the sun was already rising for the next day. But another delay to our beauty sleep (and much needed for some of us) was security checks. To us at the time it seemed frustrating but thinking back it shows how secure were gonna be in our new home.

Rest is much required so we absorb the atmosphere and sights of the village tomorrow but already there's a vibe brewing and a sort of reality buzz that were part of a massive event.

Naomi Cole, Team GBR #3.

Monday 1st July

First game day is upon us, our opposition is the Russia university games side so should be an insight into what we're to expect in the next coming weeks. Morning prep underway the coaches set us on a task, creating TEAM GBR. Basically we had to find items/create items of each letter, take a picture of it so it will create a 7 picture montage of TEAM GBR. However these had to be in red, white and blue of colour... This was our time to get creative, keeping it clean was a task mind! But congrats to the eventual winners of Kerys, Beth, Demi, Dan G and Trev who stole the show.

Our first game is now here, everyone is buzzing and keen to get out there and play. Playing a team you know nothing about can be a challenge but this version of a game of football was unreal. No joke, everyone will be referring to this game in years to come... We played football, they played Judo/Boxing/Kick Boxing. Simple as. And the officials, well they were on another planet and were keen on smiling away at everyone thinking everything was perfect. The one stand our incident was Jemma getting pure punched in the stomach, I've never seen anyting like it in my life!! This was beyond a jjoke and we were more worried about coming off the pitch with two full working legs. Poor Dan Carter must have been fouled over a dozen times but got 2 free-kicks. Madness.

Anyway to the result, we played good football.and everyone got minutes under their belt which is crucial. We look more of an attacking threat and are tightening up at the back too. We drew 0-0, so it went to penalties (to settle the score), we didn't miss and won 4-2.

Winners. That's all we cared about, getting one over on them after they wanted to play sly tactics to even get half a chance of winning. Simple. We can hold our heads high knowing how psychologically testing that was but persevering and remaining calm to get a result.

Proud of today and tomorrow we get a deserved day off yo recover, watch the boys GBR side and go sightseeing in Moscow. Happy days! Oh and did I mention we will be residents of the athletes village tomorrow night! It's all becoming real and ever so closer to our tournament matches.

Naomi Cole, Team GBR #3.